Campbell River Whale Watching and Adventure Tours

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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

July 27th, 2010

Good morning from the Float HouseDiscovery Harbour Marina

Some days everything falls into place and today was just that day for the 24 guests out on the Whale Watching tour with us.

We started out with a beautiful sunny day and our first Black Bear on Vancouver Island near Chatam Point. We met up with the Orca near Windy Point, just west of Kelsey Bay. The 4 family Orca groups (A36's, A11's, A8's and A12) were very happy and vocalized continuously all the way east to Camp Point. With lots of playful tail flaps and spy hops, the Orca made it clear that they were in a great mood and fishing seemed to be very good. Picture of A11, senior matraline of her family. Notice the markings on the back side of her dorsal fin. Where do these come from? No one really knows but it could be similar to the scars we get as we go through life, playing rough when we are young etc.

Lunch at historic Port Neville pictured as well. great lunches by "Comfort Zone" in Willow Point as well as coffee and hot chocolate of course! Sad to say that the post Office in Port Neville has closed down after many, many years. The good news is that Lora (Post Mistress and friend to many of us on the water) is getting married in October!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Good morning from the Float HouseDiscovery Harbour Marina

The Orca pictured here are part of the T124's (Transient Orca) we found this morning with the great help of a Tow & Tug in Johnstone Strait. On our way up to see the A11's and A's from yesterday we had a call from the Tug that he had Orca passing him just south of Kelsey Bay. With a little luck and persistence, we found the group close to shore making their way south. Note how the Transient Orca (mammal eating) have dorsal fins that come to a point rather than curved like the Resident. While this is not always the case, it is one characteristic that sets Transients apart from Resident Orca.A little blustery in Johnstone Strait today ! A little salt and a lot of sun shine made the Orca viewing just that much more exciting.

The good weather just keeps coming and so do the Orca.Pictured here is A73 spy hopping to have a look around in Nodales Passage. This famous youngster named "Springer" now 10 years old lost her mother at a critical time in her life (2 years old) but was nursed back to health with the cooperation of many carry souls. Today A73 is a healthy energetic Orca who travels with her aunt, A11 and family.The A11's, A8's, A36's and A12 have spent a good part of the week cycling back and forth in Nodales this past week.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

July 21, 2010

Good morning from the Float House - Discovery Harbour Marina

Very busy with the Orca these days so just a short note and a few pictures of yesterday.

Picture of A11 - senior matriarch of her family entering Nodales Passage yesterday about 1:00 pm along with her daugther (A56) and new calf. Notice the colour difference of the new born. Their surface is almost "buttery" as the water is shed very easily. Purpose ? Does this help to protect against infections or perhaps to reduce the drag (friction) with the water, making it easier to keep up with the family.?

Regardless, this little one is full of life and has put on 100's of miles in the last week.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

July 16th, 2010

Good morning from the Float HouseDiscovery Harbour Marina

A little blustery on the water today. The Orca (A11's, A8's, A23's and A25's) were westing out of Nodales Passage about 8:00 am and we caught up with them at Ripple Point in a strong westerly and ebbing tide. A little salty but things went well.We followed the Orca for about an hour and a half, got a few good pictures and then headed for the calm waters of Blind Channel for lunch.With a falling tide all morning we decided to head down Philps Arm to see if the resident Grizzly was on the beach. We were fortunate and found him grazing in the shaded tall grasses of the estuary. (sorry no pic)On the way home we came apon this yearling Black Bear trying to get a prize eel from beneath the rocks. (see pic) He worked on this projest with enthusiasm but came up without lunch.Guests from around the world including Israel, Holland, Ireland and Australia, enjoyed a great day on the water and we look forward to doing it all again tomorrow.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

July 14th, 2010

Good morning from the Float HouseIn Discovery Harbour Marina

Another fabulous day on the water in July !

We had a great group from "Routes to Learning" out for the day and what a day it was! The Orca (A36's, A11's, A8's and A12) arrived in Nodales Passage early yesterday morning. After our first Black Bear sighting along Vancouver Island, we were entertained by the 2 Big Boys of the Strait, A37 & A46 who foraged for 45 minutes between our boats at Davis Point. There appears to be enough fish for both the fisherman and the Orca these days!After a short visit with about a dozen Pacific White Sided Dolphin, we headed in Bute Inlet where we found a Sow and this incredibly cute cub. He stole the hearts of all aboard.The Arran Rapids were rocking yesterday and this picture shows the 5+ ft drop on the overfalls into Bute Inlet. The force of the tidal change pushed Bald Eagles to the surface and the Eagles were feeding, especially around Jimmy Judd Island.Lots of pictures and memories of a beautiful day on the water in Campbell River.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

July 11, 2010

Good morning from the Flaot HouseDiscovery Harbour Marina, Dock E

Yesterday was another fabulous day on the water! We had 2 boats out at 8:00 am and by 9:00 am we had Orca on our door step!The A11's, A8's , A23's and A25's came into Nodale Passage last Friday night and stayed for the entire day Saturday!By late afternoon on Saturday (5:30 pm) we had the whole group resting at Camp Point undecided which way to go. East or West ??Lots of great vocals giving everyone a feeling of happy Orca in Johnstone Strait !

Only this morning will we be able to tell which way they headed.We are off the dock at 9:00 am and will surely find them in the Strait somewhere!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

July 9th, 2010

Good morning from the Float HouseDiscovery Harbour Marina

In celebration of a new member of the "A" Clan, A56's new calf came for a visit yesterday. I have zoomed this picture in as much as possible so you can see that unique "buttery" quality of the new born Orca. The calf travelled the 90+ miles down from the Port Hardy area without a hitch and seems to be doing very well. The entire family were very vocal and playful as they entered Nodales Channel Thursday morning. They seem to be getting enough to eat because they were heading west at Rock Bay about 3:30 pm when they turned and headed back into Nodales once again.

Looking forward to another summer sizzler on the water today. Departing 8:00 am !Hope to see you on the water!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

The morning began warm with calm seas and a group of about 20 -25 Pacific White Sided Dolphin in Seymour Narrows heading north. Playful in the incredibly clear waters of Discovery passage, it was hard to leave this group behind but we had Orca farther up the Strait. About an hour later we found the Orca near Kelsey Bay. A group called the A36's (pic attached) and A12 were making their way west but turned about noon and headed back toward Campbell River.Heading for lunch at Blind Channel Resort, we found 2 yearling Black Bears in Chancellor Channel. (pic) The same brother and sister that we had seen few days earlier. Back in the boat after lunch we were back into Johnstone Strait to see the same Orca near Rock Bay, still heading east and then the Pacific White Sided Dolphin again except the numbers had increased to about 30+ and they were in the mood for some aerial stunts. With the some incredibly high jumps and repeative belly flops, the Dolphins stole the show ! The Dolphins will be remembered as the highlight of the day. (this always happens as I think the Orca take life way more seriously then their cousins, the Dolphins)

Another warm day set for today and word has it that 3 more Orca groups have arrived in the Strait late yesterday!Check : http://www.orca-live.net/

Saturday, July 3, 2010

July 3, 2010

Good morning from the Float House in Discovery Harbour Marina

The resident Orca have arrived !!!

We headed out yesterday morning with confidence high and we were rewarded with great news, A12 and the A36's had arrived in Johnstone Strait for the first time this year. The way up was cool but a pair of Black Bear yearling (most likely siblings) warmed our hearts as they foraged together along the mainland shore near Kelsey Bay. (pic) After a great lunch at Port Neville we ran into about 500+ Pacific White Sided Dolphin in Blackfish Sound. Much to our surprise a Humpback Whale surfaced in the middle of the Dolphins ! (pic) Lots of very small herring for all to eat and the Dolphin made a sport of it as they raced through the herring and terrific speed.We finally caught up with the Orca a few miles further on in Blackfish Sound. A12 and the A36's were working their way slowly east. No vocals but the weather was warm and calm, creating the perfect lighting for pictures ! (pic - A12 & A37)

We all may be a bit frustrated by the cooler summer so far but the Black Bears are enjoying it. It seems as though the food supply was good last fall as there are a lot of young health cubs in the area.

Picture from the mainland of BC near Campbell River.

The Resident Orca have not arrived as yet but we are hopeful it will be today !